Page 71 of My Salvation
CHAPTER 32
KATE
The next morning, I drag myself away from Lowell and Shaw and head back to my apartment. Thayer is coming home today, and I feel like they could all use some alone time to get him settled. Plus, after his first call to the office, I’m nervous about meeting him. Here I am, seriously dating three of his brothers, and I’m a complete stranger. I’m sure he’ll wonder how we all quickly ended up together.
I keep myself busy by running errands. They’re having me over for lunch and an official introduction to Thayer tomorrow, and I want to make a dessert. Even though Lev’s got the food covered, I want to contribute something to the lunch. Lev’s chocolate cake is delicious, but it’s rich, so I decide to make an angel’s food cake with a strawberry whip cream frosting. After finishing the cake, I make the frosting and set it aside. I’ll frost it tomorrow before I leave.
The rest of the evening, I alternate between worrying about Thayer and thinking about Lowell and Shaw. While being with both of them at the same time should have felt awkward, it didn’t. Everything seemed to flow easily between me and them. I blush as I think about being at their mercy. It’s a new side to me I never expected, but their domination allows me more freedom. I think less about what I should be doing, or if they’re enjoying it. I am in the moment.
In every other part of my life, my Type A personality rarely lets me be a follower. My brain is too busy to spend more than a second in the present. With Lowell and Shaw, letting go felt amazing. Giving that control to someone else and knowing they will only give or take what I need is liberating.
In my twenties, my mind was consumed with school, my residency, my marriage, and my first position as a doctor. Then when everything fell apart, survival consumed my thoughts, and life narrowed down to a pinpoint. Each step I took was carefully researched and plotted to be sure it wouldn’t backfire.
Now, my horizon is broadening again. With it, a sense of self-awareness and strength allowing me the freedom to be the woman I was born to be. Loving all three of them amplifies this newfound stage of life. Being with both of them exemplifies it. But it’s tenuous in this early stage, and I’m not sure how it will hold up against Thayer.
Standing, I stretch and groan at the soreness, especially those muscles that haven’t been used in a while. Grinning, I head to the bedroom, flop down on the bed, and I’m out.
The next morning, I finish up the cake and take time getting ready. Sifting through my closet, I decide to wear a strappy red sundress and cork wedges. With my hair down in its natural state, it says pretty and summery without trying too hard. I think. Taking a deep breath, I stare myself down in the mirror and stick out my tongue. The mirror returns the favor, and I laugh.
I carefully prop the cake stand in the passenger seat of my rental and start the drive over to their place.
Groaning, I realize that’s another thing I still need to sort out. Getting a new vehicle. I need to decide which SUV I want to purchase next. While I love Lowell’s, I’m not sure I want to spend that much. Biting my lip, I consider asking Shaw or Lowell to go shopping with me, but I kind of love the thrill of beating the salesperson in negotiations, which would be hard to do with a man beside me. Salesmen tend to focus on the men. Shrugging, I decide to think about it another day.
Parking in front of the house, I see Shaw striding from the barn. We meet on the passenger side of my car. His hands slide around and cup my ass as he swoops down for a passionate kiss.
“Angel, I know it’s only been a day, but after our night together, I can’t think of anything else. I miss you. I miss your sweet ass. Maybe we should all talk about you coming over on the weekends and staying with us? I know you’re busy during the week, but I feel like we don’t get enough time together. Just the two of us and all of us together. What do you think?” His brown eyes search mine for answers.
Frowning, I look at the house before I answer. “Let’s wait and see how things go. Thayer’s only been home for a second, and I don’t want to barge into his life. Especially right now, when he’s feeling unsettled as it is. I’d love to be with you, all of you, but I want it to be right, too.”
Running a hand through his hair, he blows out a breath, “I understand your point, but let’s not push back the decision too far.”
I agree and reach down to grab the cake out of the front seat and follow him to the front door. Entering the kitchen, I hand the cake to Lev.
“What?! You didn’t have to bring anything but your delicious self, especially not food.”
“I can cook, you know. You are not the only one. By the way, that needs to go into the refrigerator until we’re ready to serve it.” I raise up on my tiptoes and give his pouty lower lip a nibble. “It’s an angel food cake, with strawberry whipped cream frosting.”
He gives a soft groan and reaches down to deepen the kiss. We’re kissing for a few minutes when I hear something I haven’t heard in a while. A soft whirring sound that stops behind me. Dread fills my stomach, and a light sweat breaks out on my forehead. That sound. I try to get a hold of myself before turning around.
Looking down, I see a man with blond tousled hair and icy blue eyes staring at me from a wheelchair. Gasping, I back up into Lev.
What the fuck? Collin?
